R&D Director

R&D Director

Role Overview

Our client, a world leader in the design, development, and manufacture of sample characterisation solutions and scientific instruments, is looking for a R&D Director to join the team. This is a great opportunity to join an established and ever-growing company who design and develop products for some of the world's leading scientific organisations.

The R&D Director will lead the UK and NL R&D teams, and, in collaboration with the Sales and Marketing teams, scientific institutes and customers, propose and lead projects that target the development of new products to help drive growth.

You will be expected to deliver on all activities associated with researching new innovative projects, including feasibility, commercial viability, developing prototypes, co-ordinating beta test sites and delivering fully tested prototypes ready for the Development team to progress into a commercial product.

This role requires someone who possesses the skills, vision and desire to explore and implement new approaches that will expand and develop new and existing products.

Key Responsibilities

* Work closely with the Sales and Marketing teams to identify and deliver commercially attractive new and updated products
* Work with other company Directors to produce and maintain a strategic five-year plan, aiming to drive the business by the delivery of targeted new products and services
* Generating, agreeing and working to the annual R&D budget
* Setting clear objectives for the R&D team to deliver on the required projects within the agreed timelines
* Maintain regular communication with and visits to the R&D team in the Netherlands (once a quarter on average), ensuring that their primary focus is the projects assigned to them
* Oversee the application for, gaining of and retention of the relevant approvals for our products
* Ensure that department processes are adhered to
* Deliver monthly status reports to the MD & FD
* Perform Objective and Appraisal reviews, ensuring the R&D team are delivering to the highest standard
* Engaging the R&D team in any training requirements in order to keep them up to date with new technologies

Requirements

This job will suit a person with several years of experience leading a R&D team in the development of scientific instrumentation. They will have a scientific background, preferably in physics, and have an in-depth knowledge of the microscopy market.

* A good degree in a science or related technical subject
* Minimum 2-3 years' experience of leading a R&D team developing new products
* Knowledge of microscopy, spectroscopy, optics or related fields
* Experience of participating in trade shows / customer demonstrations
* Excellent command of written and spoken English
* Willing to travel to trade shows, conferences, and customer sites both in the UK and abroad
* Have a positive "can-do" personality to help manage and motivate the R&D team
* Right to work in the UK
* Full UK driving licence

Benefits

* Competitive salary (£70,000-£90,000 DOE)
* Annual company bonus scheme
* 25 days' holiday plus 8 bank holiday days
* Group pension plan
* Bupa membership
* Free onsite parking